LUXURY superyacht operator Emerald Cruises will introduce a third, larger deepsea vessel in 2026 while parent Scenic Group is to upgrade its oceangoing and river cruise fleets.
Announced at this week’s Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami, Emerald Kaia will accommodate 92 crew and 128 passengers, the latter being 28 more than the company’s existing vessels Emerald Azzura and Emerald Sakura.
The 120-metre Emerald Kaia (which means ‘pure’) will feature enlarged spaces and more amenities than its predecessors but will basically follow their successful formula, the company said. Upon delivery it will cruise the coastlines of the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas in the northern summer, and from the Seychelles in the northern winter.
Australian-founded parent company Scenic is upgrading it 2019-built Scenic Eclipse to include more features of the newer Scenic Eclipse II (2023), including a refreshed, outdoor dining area and wellness centre. Scenic Eclipse II will be equipped with a custom-designed Scenic Neptune II submersible and four SEABOBs, allowing guests to explore the ocean’s depths and coral reefs.
The 6-star “discovery yachts” cruise worldwide, with the 228-pax Scenic Eclipse II due to arrive in Sydney 19 April to begin an inaugural two-year season on Australia’s East Coast and in the Kimberley, plus the the South Pacific, Indonesian Archipelago, New Zealand, East Antarctica and Japan.
Scenic Group says to provide a “seamless experience for guest” it is also upgrading the 18-strong Scenic and Emerald river fleets, which cruise in Europe and South East Asia, to reflect enhancements on the oceangoing vessels.
